In this article, you’ll explore the fascinating invention by woodworkers known as Luban Stool. It’s considered among the most creative pieces of joinery that open and fold in systematic hinged construction design, allowing to use for multiple purposes and popular among rural areas of Asia.
Let’s get into the topic!
Table of Contents
What Is A Luban Stool?
A luban stool is a foldable stool made of one piece of wood through planning, refining, drilling, and chiseling without using any adhesives, nails, or metal components. Its smart foldable design gives you the freedom to open and close freely, but you cannot detach its parts.
It is one of the oldest yet finest pieces of art and it’s rare to find because only few people hold the mastery to craft this masterpiece.
The luban stool is manufactured via complex structures that discourage the use of automatic machines because it’s all made by hand, it normally takes 2 days to complete one Luban Stool by a veteran carpenter.
The stool has a relatively high technical perspective with added art and values as it’s the crystallization of the Chinese nation’s wisdom. In actuality, the Luban Stool is considered as an artwork rather than just being considered as a stool for sitting because not everyone can craft this masterpiece.
Who Invented Luban Stool?
A Legendary Chinese Structure Engineer invented the Luban stool during the Zhou Dynasty known as Lu Ban in 507 – 444 BC, which is around 2600 years ago. He was born into a skillful family who had been practicing carpentry for several years in the state of Lu Around.
He is also known as the Chinese God of contractors and builders due to their smart technical skills. His personality was assumed by the master carpentry involved in the construction of houses and furniture among the Dong.
According to traditional regimes, he was responsible for several notable inventions other than Luban Stool, which is still being used by carpenters today. Some of which are:
- Cloud Ladder – Also known as mobile or counterweight siege ladder.
- Grappling Hook – Tool for Naval Warfare.
- Wooden Bird – A non-powered wooden bird that could stay in the air for three days.
And many other famous inventions.
Why The Luban Stool Is So Valuable?
There are numerous benefits; some of them are listed below:
- The design is extremely portable, which you can carry anywhere anytime.
- The product depicts the perfect combination of traditional woodworking and skills.
- The foldable design gives you the freedom to store, which becomes a space saver.
- The hand-made single wooden piece design is incredibly strong and sustains heavy load.
- The stool has no use of adhesive, nails, or any metal component, making it safe for kids.
- The design edict a mastery of artwork, which you can use as home décor.
How Much Time Does A Professional Take In Making Such Stool?
As mentioned above, the Luban Stool is a complex structure that is purely hand-made. There are very few professionals left who can actually make the stool effectively.
According to professionals, the simple Luban Stool will take 2 days, whereas the intricate design requires nearly a week to finish efficiently.
What Processes Are Involved In The Preparation Of Luban Stool?
In general, the preparation of a Luban Stool starts with planning that’s the most crucial part of crafting this piece of functional art. Afterward, sawing, grinding, smoothing, chiseling, drilling, and digging are the common phases to bring out the final result.
The most fascinating aspect is that it has no adhesives, nails, or any other metal component to join parts with each other as the components are totally interlocked with each and allow people to sit on it with the heaviest bearable load.
The Luban Stool can open and fold smoothly but cannot be separated – It’s considered among the strange furniture building technique, which is known as “Static-in-Motion”.